North Canty basketball begins big give
What was unwanted surplus gear lying in storage is now making life a little easier for children in Fiji.
The North Canterbury Basketball Association (NCBA) recently donated some old backpacks to the Canterbury Fiji Social Services Trust which distributed them to Fijian children in cyclone ravaged villages.
‘‘To us it was nothing it was ‘here is a box of old bags’ but then we received a letter with photos of the kids with the bags and you realise the difference it can make,’’ NCBA committee member Mark Whittaker said.
It all came about when they were clearing out the equipment to move it from one storage facility to another.
‘‘We were looking at what we actually needed and planned to get rid of the stuff we didn’t use.’’
The backpacks were one of those items. The committee opted to donate the bags rather than discard them
Whittaker had a contact at St Vincent de Paul who suggested Fiji Social Services would be a fitting recipient.
A few emails later Whittaker dropped off 80 backpacks which were shipped to Fiji.
‘‘Our entire focus is how we deliver appropriate events and services to our local community, and so it is nice to know old resources we no longer need can be used to benefit other communities.
‘‘It’s things we take for granted that those in need cherish. They were getting used for school bags as well as sport bags.’’
Whittaker said their players probably take for granted the fact they regularly get new gear whereas for some of the recipients it may be the only backpack they ever get.
NCBA is now looking at a long term connection.
‘‘We are lucky enough to get funding for new gear and this year it’s new playing strips which means there will be an old set no longer required. Whether its tops, shoes, bags or even balls – we have things we don’t need or want anymore but for them to them it will be like christmas.
‘‘This has the potential to grow and really help some people in need and I think our kids can learn a lot from it as well,’’ Whittaker said.
With his daughter Charlotte Whittaker due to fly to Fiji with the Junior Tall Ferns in December for the Oceania Championships, he said there is potential for another drop off.